Martial power is divided into the foundational Nine Tiers and the Three Martial Realms.
The Nine Tiers are only the foundation—the Three Martial Realms mark the true, extraordinary beginning, where real mystical power emerges.
As long as your foundation is solid, reaching the Martial Artist Realm is not considered difficult.
Of course.
This is based on having decent martial talent... For example, Monica Zhang’s aptitude for martial arts is quite outstanding, even compared to most students admitted to the Martial Arts Program.
“That’s right!”
“Plus, with my day-and-night guidance, even if the Martial Artist Realm is uncertain, at least the Upper Third Tier is no problem.” Andrew Han strolled out of the residential complex, planning to accompany the girl to a movie.
But he had no idea.
His high school deskmate Gavin Bright—the one he had helped once and met up with just last week—was now standing at the warehouse door in Linhaven City, Jiangnan Province, his eyes filled with confusion.
“This is so strange.”
“Back in March, a municipal leader from Linhaven City personally came to negotiate and sign a three-year rice supply contract with me for government use.” Gavin Bright scratched his head. “Now, just three months later, a provincial leader from Jiangnan wants to sign another contract?”
Something’s off!
Definitely something’s off!
Gavin Bright squinted. “Anyone else wanting to supply the government has to give gifts... But when I offered generous gifts and even Sinoveran currency, these officials righteously refused.”
That’s the oddest part of all.
It’s become routine to accept a few gifts, a bit of Sinoveran currency. If the officials don’t want it, Gavin actually gets nervous, unable to guess what deeper meaning lies behind their actions.
“And also...”
“Why do I always feel... Whenever I try to give money to the officials, they seem almost afraid? Could it be that some higher-level leader is inexplicably looking out for me?”
Sunlight flooded the warehouse entrance.
The heat pressed in, a gentle breeze stirring.
“Sigh.”
“No matter what, I have to refuse the Jiangnan provincial government’s contract offer.” Gavin Bright let out a relieved breath.
Supplying Linhaven City’s government is fine.
But if he were to supply the Jiangnan provincial government, with his current capacity, it would be far too much. If anything went wrong, he could lose everything and never recover.
“Besides that, I really should thank them.”
Gavin Bright took out his phone and checked his call logs and messages... The previous supplier of rice, flour, and oil to the Jiangnan provincial government was a major figure who dominated the region’s gray markets—someone with enough power to cover the sky with one hand.
Or so the rumors say.
This big shot was said to be still vigorous in old age, with six mistresses and four sons.
And on Gavin’s phone screen, the person threatening him was precisely the third son of this big shot—someone who straddled both the criminal and official worlds, suave and ruthless, absolutely not to be provoked.
“But still...”
“Honestly, I should thank you—otherwise I’d still be worrying about how to turn down the Jiangnan provincial government.” Gavin Bright grinned and shook his head.
You have to be content to be happy in life.
If you’re too greedy, there’s always a price to pay. Besides, Gavin knew perfectly well—his rice couldn’t possibly be so good as to attract provincial officials. Even the legendary Immortal Rice wouldn’t get this kind of treatment.
But still—
His phone vibrated.
Gavin answered a call from a Jiangnan provincial official, his expression shifting.
“Oh no.”
“What kind of trick is this Jiangnan official playing? He’s already arrived in Linhaven City and is about to visit my tiny factory in person? What should I do—sign and offend one side, or refuse and offend the government?” Gavin couldn’t help but sigh.
He took two steps forward.
Standing in front of an open sack of rice.
Gavin picked up a handful of plump, glossy grains, examining them closely. Though it was raw rice and couldn’t be eaten, he could still judge its quality.
“Now I get it... Being too good is a crime in itself! Heaven, is this my punishment?”
“Come on!”
“Let me bear an even greater punishment!”
He spread his arms wide, embracing the sky, thoroughly enjoying his own theatrics.
In fact, Gavin had considered the reason—it might be because of Han Dong. But every time he saw those fresh, happy photos in Han Dong’s social feed, so ordinary yet so full of joy, Gavin couldn’t help but waver.
“Forget it.”
“This little thing isn’t worth troubling Han Dong... He’s helped me so much, and besides, this is a Jiangnan big shot who controls both sides of the law. If he gets angry at Han Dong, even Han Dong couldn’t handle it.” Gavin thought to himself, but felt no real anxiety.
If it really comes to it...
He’d just tell the government official the truth. Surely they’d understand.
So Gavin stood calmly at the entrance, waiting about ten minutes until he greeted a middle-aged man from the Jiangnan provincial government, accompanied by two secretaries.
Gavin didn’t know the official’s rank, but he certainly looked imposing.
They chatted for a while.
The middle-aged man stood in front of the open sack, grabbed a handful of rice, and said, “This rice is excellent—crystal clear, plump grains, it fully meets our provincial standards.”
“Sir, this is last year’s rice—mostly used for weighing things down,” Gavin replied.
“...”
The middle-aged man adjusted his black-rimmed glasses, frowned, opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing.
Gavin gave a sheepish laugh. “Sir, let’s not sign this contract. There are plenty of options in Jiangnan City—no need for you to trouble yourself coming all the way to Linhaven.”
“Sigh.”
The middle-aged man let out a sigh.
This is an order from the Imperial Capital: every friend and relative of Andrew Han must be carefully looked after. Just look at the kind of influence Andrew Han wields—when one person ascends, everyone around him rises too. (TN: The phrase "when one person ascends, everyone around him rises" is adapted from the Chinese idiom "一人成仙，鸡犬升天," meaning when someone attains great success, even their close associates benefit.)
After thinking for a moment, the middle-aged man raised his thick eyebrows. "You don’t want to sign? Why not?"
"Sigh, sir, let me be honest with you. I, Gavin Bright, know my own limits—how could I possibly supply the provincial government? Besides, Lord Wang, a major figure in Southvale City, has already spoken. How could I dare sign the contract?" Gavin said helplessly.
A major figure in Southvale City?
Lord Wang?
Who is this character? Are there really people in Southvale Province’s Martial Arts World who dare challenge Andrew Han? Has he grown tired of living, or does he have someone from the Titled Sequence backing him? The middle-aged man frowned, feeling as though he’d been swept into a major dispute in the Martial Arts World—dangerous beyond measure.
Thinking of this,
He asked with utmost caution, "May I ask Lord Wang’s full name?"
"Sir, Lord Wang’s full name is Wang Quanwu," Gavin answered solemnly.
Hiss.
The middle-aged man took a sharp breath. "There isn’t a Wang clan in Jiangnan Province, is Lord Wang perhaps a direct descendant of the Wang family in Xihang City?"
"Xihang City? No, no, Lord Wang is a big shot in Jiangnan who plays both sides of the law," Gavin replied, looking puzzled.
The middle-aged man was a bit baffled. "A big shot in Jiangnan?"
Immediately after.
The secretary beside him wore a strange expression and leaned in to whisper an explanation.
Gavin wiped sweat from his cheek, nervously watching the middle-aged man.
"Sigh."
The middle-aged man let out a sigh. Gavin’s heart skipped a beat—so Lord Wang really is a major figure in Jiangnan, even provincial leaders have to be wary.
Immediately after.
The middle-aged man adjusted his black-rimmed glasses and looked at the secretary. "I’ve heard a bit—this man has some connections in industry and commerce? Investigate immediately. If he’s broken any laws, arrest him at once."
"Yes, sir."
The secretary bowed in response.
Beside them, Gavin Bright was deeply anxious. He couldn’t help but remind, "Lord Wang is a big shot in Jiangnan!"
"Heh."
The middle-aged man curled his lips, inwardly scoffing: Wang Quanwu, a nobody who can’t even get on stage—I could crush him with the flick of my little finger. (TN: "上不了台面" literally means someone who is not presentable or qualified to appear in formal settings; here, it means Wang Quanwu is insignificant.)
As for Andrew Han—
Young man, in front of Andrew Han, there are no big shots in Jiangnan Province!
......
Fourth update delivered!